Flintshire to Oldham

The following information has been taken from news reports, information sent by local authorities and from library users. It is the most comprehensive list of its kind in the UK but may contain inaccuracies. Some authorities may not be included because there has been no media reporting from their area or such reporting has been missed. The information on this page is used for the aggregate figure of libraries under threat in the UK. I have included in bold at the start of the entry for each authority for the current year the figure (if any) that I have used for the headline number of libraries under threat. Being this figure is used in national newspapers and by politicians, it is especially important these figures are accurate so please let me know of any errors or omissions. To make the list is factual as possible, please email ianlibrarian@live.co.uk if you have any further information or a correction.

Dates included are the date that the information was added to Public Libraries News. In more recent posts, the number shows the month (e.g. 3 = March, 4 = April) the article that contains the relevant information was published.

2012: Mobile library being refurbished (10/7/12) so assumed mobile library saved and this taken off tally of libraries under threat. Marfleet Library now moved to community health centre and Stadium library still existing so neither now counted as under threat.

2011: Opening hours cut in 12 libraries with cuts of around 6% (after consultation. Cuts mainly in the evenings) , WRVS volunteers to be used for delivery of books to housebound, increased booksale, (12 jobs lost, £245k cut). “Library Express” branches (where some libraries would not be staffed all the time) considered but change of party in local elections meant plan was dropped. Newcastle charges introduced for book reservations, rise in fees.

2014: Libraryplus” charity formed to raise money for libraries 600 volunteers, all libraries open on Sundays (4). Libraries to become “default” venue for non-specialist children’s services such as registration and advice. Will also provide children’s activities and recruitment of volunteers for children’s centres. (6) Towcester Library to move into co-located new building (with council offices, council chamber, a cafe, an adult learning facility and the county registrar’s office) at the Forum. (6)

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Numbers

Since 1st April 2014: 233 static libraries have been put under threat of closure/passing to volunteers. 8 mobile libraries under threat. 1 new library opened. 3 refurbishments over £50k, 11 libraries (3 static and 8 mobile) libraries closed, 9 libraries passed to volunteers. 1 entirely new volunteer-run library. Please note that the number under threat does not normally correspond with the number eventually closed.
There are currently 4145 libraries in the UK. There were 4482 in 2009/10 and 4622 in 2003/4.
The complete list is on "Tally by Local Authority" page as are other changes to budgets such as cuts to hours, bookfund and staffing. CIpfa have calculated that 49 service points were lost in 2013/14, 74 were lost in 2012/13 and 201 in 2011/12.
For a list of new and refurbished buildings see this page,

Disclaimers and thanks

Please note that this website is maintained entirely in my own time and should in no way be seen to reflect the opinions or otherwise of my employer.

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I would also like to add at this point my thanks to Shirley Burnham for her frequent emails with relevant public libraries news which I then use as a a large part of the material for this site.

Warren O'Donoghue of Rabbitdigital Design has been wonderful in designing and creating this website, maintaining it and basically being there for the one hundred and one web problems that seem to surface all the time.